Linguist Trainees

EXPIRY
NOTICE: This job has now expired and will not be accepting any more
applications.

One of the UK’s three intelligence agencies – along with MI5 and MI6 – GCHQ is on the frontline of the fight against international terrorism and crime.

Why should you join us?

The role of Linguists within GCHQ cannot be understated. Translating and analysing all kinds of foreign language material, Linguists use their specialist knowledge and expertise to assess pieces of information and provide valuable intelligence. Through their versatility and attention to detail, Linguists can help inform policy decisions, protect British interests and even save lives.

What you’ll be doing

As a Linguist Trainee, you’ll join GCHQ on a four year training scheme that will make you a fully-qualified Linguist. After promotion to this role, you’ll read, listen and evaluate a wide range of foreign language material, producing gists, full transcriptions and assessing its value as intelligence.

The material may be highly technical and specialist, but you’ll have enough training and support to become an expert. Aside from regular translation and assessment work, you’ll produce intelligence reports for other government departments and the military. This will involve visiting customers in Whitehall so you can fully grasp their requirements. Elsewhere, you’ll advise on technical intercept issues and, later in your career, have the chance to get involved in language research, technology and language training.

Training and Support

The four year training scheme starts in September 2008. Years one and two consist of full-time language re-training in a non-European language, carried out at GCHQ’s language training facility, next to our main site in Cheltenham.

Designed by senior GCHQ linguists and taught by native speakers, the course will educate you to degree-level within 2 years. Throughout the course, you’ll have regular contact with linguists in GCHQ. In year two, you’ll start to receive a thorough grounding in intelligence analysis skills.

In the final two years, you’ll continue your structured training and start to gain valuable, on-the-job experience. Helped by experienced linguists and intelligence analysts, you’ll put your newly-acquired language skills into practice, translating and analysing foreign language material as pieces of intelligence.

Entry Requirements

You must be a British citizen with at least one Modern Foreign Language ‘A’ level at grade B or above. If you’re sitting an ‘A’ level in 2008, you’ll need a projected grade of B or above.

Selection is by application form, followed by a paper sift and then assessment and interview stages.